Best-selling cars in the UK: more than half of new cars are electric or hybrid

As the most popular car of 2024 and a former What Car? Car of the Year, it comes as no surprise that the Ford Puma continues to sell in big numbers. In fact, we think it’s one of the best small SUVs on the market.

With fantastic agility and impressive pace, there aren’t many cars that provide a more enjoyable driving experience than the Puma. What’s more, all of its engines are assisted by mild hybrid technology to boost efficiency.

If comfort is a top priority, then you’ll be better off with a Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc, which are both fitted with softer suspension, but the Nissan Juke will jostle you round more. The Puma also benefits from a reasonably plush interior, and it offers practical boot space.

Our favourite version 1.0 Ecoboost mHEV 155 ST-Line

List price £29,280
Best price £28,259

November sales 4859

Read our in-depth Ford Puma review

It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the Kia Sportage – in fact, we liked it so much we named it our Family SUV of the Year. Not only is it spacious and exceedingly practical, it also offers great value for money.

Our favourite engine is the 1.6-litre petrol, which is assisted by mild hybrid power to keep your fuel bills low. It pumps out 157bhp, and has more than enough oomph for everyday driving, so you won’t feel out of depth at motorway speeds.

Perhaps one of the reasons why the Sportage is so popular is its lofty driving position, which will please SUV fans. It’s also competitively priced, with mild hybrid models undercutting the likes of the Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson.

Our favourite version 1.6T GDi Pure

List price £30,885
Best price £27,995

November sales 3649

Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review

The fact that the Qashqai is such a big seller shouldn’t come as a surprise – it practically launched the family SUV trend that has taken over the car industry, and it’s a main rival of the best-selling Kia Sportage.

Like with the Sportage, our favourite version comes assisted by mild hybrid technology to help keep your fuel bills low.

The Qashqai does everything you’d expect it to – it offers that fantastic driving position that SUV fans love, and it’s decently practical. Our recommended trim, N-Connecta, comes with plenty of kit, including 18in alloy wheels, a fully digital driver’s display and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Our favourite version 1.3 DiG-T MH N-Connecta

List price £33,085
Best price £26,944

November sales 3004

Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review

If you want a reason to feel patriotic, then you might be pleased to hear that the Nissan Juke is one of two cars on this list manufactured here in the UK – the other being the Qashqai. And it follows in its larger sibling’s footsteps by setting the standard for many of the small SUVs we see today.

The Juke offers everything you’d expect it to: a lofty driving position and small, economical engines, all at an accessible price. Our favourite engine, the entry-level 112bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, isn’t the fastest we’ve ever tested, but it pulls strongly enough and should prove pretty frugal.

That said, it’s not particularly comfortable to drive, and it doesn’t offer the same level of fun as the Ford Puma does. In fact, even the Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Roc are more composed. Where the Juke does excel is inside, where it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel and the lofty driving position gives a nice view of the road ahead.

Our favourite version 1.0 DiG-T 114 N-Connecta

List price £26,265
Best price £22,815

November sales 2835

Read our in-depth Nissan Juke review

A new version of the VW T-Roc is about to go on sale, so it’s the previous model we’re discussing here – and even in its dotage, it's well-deserving of its spot here in the top 10 best-sellers. Sure, it's a bit of a pricier buy than some of its main rivals, but if you stick with our preferred entry-level options, you can put a very nice small SUV on your driveway without breaking the bank.

Both diesel and petrol power are available with the T-Roc, but we recommend the entry-level 114bhp 1.0-litre petrol option, which comes with a manual gearbox and should offer enough oomph for everyday driving – although the Ford Puma 125 is more capable.

Where the T-Roc pales against rivals in power, it makes up for it in comfort. Indeed, when equipped with 16in alloy wheels, it's supremely sumptuous, soaking up bumps better than the Audi Q2, Lexus LBX and the Puma, but it's not so soft that it feels unassured on undulating roads.

Our favourite version 1.0 TSI 115 Life

November sales 2768

Read our in-depth new Volkswagen T-Roc review

Read our in-depth used Volkswagen T-Roc review

The VW Golf has a reputation of being the quintessential family car, and that’s because it strikes the perfect balance of comfort and practicality that makes it ideal for both long and short journeys.

It’s available with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power, but the mid-range 1.5-litre petrol should serve the needs of most buyers. Company car drivers, however, might be tempted by the low tax advantages of the plug-in hybrid.

The Golf feels right at home around town, with light steering which can feel a bit flimsy on faster, twistier roads. You can remedy that with some of the higher trim levels, though, which offer a larger selection of driving modes.

Our favourite version 1.5 TSI Match

List price £29,135
Best price £23,495

November sales 2742

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review

The Vauxhall Corsa has long been one of the biggest sellers in the UK, so it's no surprise that it's a regular fixture in the top 10 best-sellers list. It owes its popularity to its ability to appeal to everyone, thanks to its wide variety of engines and trims.

Our favourite engine in the Corsa is the 99bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, which acts as the entry point to the range. It's flexible and competent at motorway speeds, although some rival small cars, like the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo, are more comfortable.

There are four trim levels available with the Corsa, but even with all that choice, we still think the entry-level 'Yes' is the one to go for. It comes well-equipped with 16in alloy wheels, heated front seats, cruise control, air-conditioning and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel.

Our favourite version 1.2 Turbo Yes

List price £20,225
Best price £15,890

November sales 2564

Read our in-depth Vauxhall Corsa review

While it's still relatively new to the market, the Jaecoo 7 has proven to be a hit with buyers, and it might be because of its keen price, trendy looks and variety of engines.

Indeed, you can have your Jaecoo 7 with either pure petrol (which is also available with all-wheel-drive) or plug-in hybrid power. It's the latter that we think is the best option, thanks to its impressive all-electric range of 57 miles – beating the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage PHEVs.

That being said, there are better family SUVs out there that offer more bang for your buck. For example, the plug-in hybrid MG HS is a real standout, and it's even more keenly priced.

Our favourite version 1.5T SHS 18.3kWh Luxury

List price £33,945
Best price £31,299

November sales 2404

Read our in-depth Jaecoo 7 review

The latest Mini Cooper can be had with both petrol and electric power, but whichever version you choose, you'll be getting a competent small car with plenty of character to match its cutesy charm.

It's the electric version which we think will suit most buyers best, but we'd recommend that you go for the larger of the two battery options on offer. That's because in entry level Cooper E form, the car only receives a 36.6kWh battery which offers an official range of 190 miles, which is rather short. Go for our recommended Cooper SE model, though, and that figure is boosted to a much more usable 250 miles.

Inside, you'll find a minimalist dashboard dominated by a rounded infotainment screen, which also acts as your main source of driving data – but there's also a head-up display which puts the most vital information right into your line of sight.

Being a small car, you won't be expecting acres of space in the Mini, but even by the standards of the class it's pretty tiny, especially in the rear seats. Plus, where most small cars offer three rear seats, the Mini Cooper only has two.

Our favourite version Cooper SE Classic

List price £29,905
Best price £29,905

November sales 2124

Read our in-depth Mini Cooper Electric review

Much like the VW Golf, the Audi A3 has cemented its status as a solid family car over the years. It's comfortable, good to drive and a recent facelift has brought its interior quality to the next level.

Our favourite version of the A3 for private buyers is the entry-level 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, badged 35 TFSI. However, if you're looking at the A3 as a company car, the 40 TFSIe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) promises low running costs and the ability to travel 88 miles on petrol-free power.

Inside, the A3 benefits from some new soft-touch fabrics instead of the scratchy plastics that used to furnish the dashboard, as well as new interior lighting. However, there are still some low-rent materials to be found on the centre console. If that's a real bug bear for you, we'd recommend the more luxurious BMW 1 Series or Mazda 3.

Our favourite version Sport 35 TFSI

List price £30,235
Best price £29,015

November sales 2114

Read our in-depth Audi A3 review